朋友這幾天送了凡凡一個生日禮物，玩具火車，叫做 GeoTrax。
這一組玩具是中央車站，火車可以搖控前進後退。凡凡超愛的，每天都要玩，白天晚上都要玩，都不會膩。
米奇在車站等著米妮的火車進站，一起搭火車去玩。
軌道可以自己排列組合，凡凡還曉得要「發動」火車。
中央車站附有電梯，讓凡凡研究了好一陣子。
還有用沒用上的橋墩做成。讓火車通過的拱「門」。
Sunday, March 30, 2008
三月雜感
這個月花在這兒的時間不多，多虧凡凡，幫我灌了不少水。
I.
這陣子心情大致上很不錯，手上幾個新開展的 projects 看起來應該都有不錯的發展，只是時間不夠，總是顧了這個就落了那個。
II.
這一個禮拜主要的空閒時間都花在那本今天到期的 microscopy 上。心裡有個想法已經好一陣子，microscopy 這幾年發展得十分快速，在生物相關，特別是細胞生物學的進展上，扮演了關鍵的角色。網路上有不少資料完整的 microscopy 網站，其中絕大多數都是與顯微鏡公司相關，因此較偏向於特定的技術或產品。
查了一下，似乎並沒有類似的中文網站，就我的瞭解，在台灣生物相關領域裡，microscopy 並沒有受到足夠的重視，若真有需要，這些原文的網站會是短時間想獲得解答的人極吃力的負擔。
美國各大 institutes 這幾年相繼成立了 image center 之類的 core，不知哪時這趨勢會傳到台灣去。我打算慢慢開始寫一些 microscopy 的文章，可能像上課一樣，由淺至深。一開始或許很淺顯，但我的經驗是往往這些根本對後來新近技術的瞭解有絕對的幫助。
我還在想怎麼弄比較好，時間和自己的懶漫天性大概是我這想法最大的敵人。目前打算另外開一個 blog，文章兩邊都貼，但在另一個專門的 blog 裡會有比較細的分類，可以讓想自修或從 google 過去的人慢慢消化。若只想一路看下去，應該兩邊都差不多。
希望這能幫助在台灣有需要的人，也幫助我自己, in many ways.
III.
禮拜六在 Jeremy lab 的 YQ 的車上聊了一下。YQ 說他這次跟 John Blenis 一起去日本開會。John 是 Cell Biology department 的 PI，說他們那邊很多人都等著看 Marc 幫 SysBio 搞了這麼多錢能玩出甚麼名堂。
這幾年 grant climate 真的是不好，許多大頭的 labs 也有斷炊之虞。因此 CellBio 的人對棄他們而去的 Marc 有這麼多錢可以玩很是不爽。糟的是偏偏我們 department 裡好像也交不出甚麼成績，發的 paper 多是 non-sysbio paper，而 Marc 自己 lab 裡搞 sysbio approach 的幾個人進展也一直都不好。
說實話，我們的 department 應該是目前我知道最 interactive 的 department 了。有無盡的機會可以讓不同領域的人交流，空間規劃也極有利於互動。每個訪客都對此有著極深刻的印象。
感覺問題似乎是在心態跟對問題的思考慣性上，一旦定型便難已更改。這是本來學數學或模型的人最常落入的困境。對任何生物現象都能夠用 equations and models 解釋預測的不切實際幻想 (至少在目前)，也常給他們帶來麻煩。至於自視高於 experimentists，視實驗只是驗證他偉大理論的工具一類，就更是未認清現實斷無成功可能了，其中尤以搞數學的最有這類毛病。
我認為至少在目前的 sysbio 上，不同領域的合作還有一段路要走。如果硬要選，我覺得生物學家跨數學物理，會比反過來(目前的趨勢)更有成功的可能。多數人都認為生物門檻低，容易從其它領域跨進來。我的看法是所謂的門檻低是因為沒有辦法有效整理規納成一層層循序理解的系統，最後得靠無法形容的 instinct 或 insight 去判斷，這多半是多年經驗累積粹鍊而成，低門檻後面的路可能更難走。
不論是跨進來還是跨出去，是否有辦法在顧好自己 project 之餘，還能花上可觀的時間在短時間內無法提供任何幫助的它領域上，才是最大的問題。我覺得連 PhD student 都太晚了，要就趁早。
I.
這陣子心情大致上很不錯，手上幾個新開展的 projects 看起來應該都有不錯的發展，只是時間不夠，總是顧了這個就落了那個。
II.
這一個禮拜主要的空閒時間都花在那本今天到期的 microscopy 上。心裡有個想法已經好一陣子，microscopy 這幾年發展得十分快速，在生物相關，特別是細胞生物學的進展上，扮演了關鍵的角色。網路上有不少資料完整的 microscopy 網站，其中絕大多數都是與顯微鏡公司相關，因此較偏向於特定的技術或產品。
查了一下，似乎並沒有類似的中文網站，就我的瞭解，在台灣生物相關領域裡，microscopy 並沒有受到足夠的重視，若真有需要，這些原文的網站會是短時間想獲得解答的人極吃力的負擔。
美國各大 institutes 這幾年相繼成立了 image center 之類的 core，不知哪時這趨勢會傳到台灣去。我打算慢慢開始寫一些 microscopy 的文章，可能像上課一樣，由淺至深。一開始或許很淺顯，但我的經驗是往往這些根本對後來新近技術的瞭解有絕對的幫助。
我還在想怎麼弄比較好，時間和自己的懶漫天性大概是我這想法最大的敵人。目前打算另外開一個 blog，文章兩邊都貼，但在另一個專門的 blog 裡會有比較細的分類，可以讓想自修或從 google 過去的人慢慢消化。若只想一路看下去，應該兩邊都差不多。
希望這能幫助在台灣有需要的人，也幫助我自己, in many ways.
III.
禮拜六在 Jeremy lab 的 YQ 的車上聊了一下。YQ 說他這次跟 John Blenis 一起去日本開會。John 是 Cell Biology department 的 PI，說他們那邊很多人都等著看 Marc 幫 SysBio 搞了這麼多錢能玩出甚麼名堂。
這幾年 grant climate 真的是不好，許多大頭的 labs 也有斷炊之虞。因此 CellBio 的人對棄他們而去的 Marc 有這麼多錢可以玩很是不爽。糟的是偏偏我們 department 裡好像也交不出甚麼成績，發的 paper 多是 non-sysbio paper，而 Marc 自己 lab 裡搞 sysbio approach 的幾個人進展也一直都不好。
說實話，我們的 department 應該是目前我知道最 interactive 的 department 了。有無盡的機會可以讓不同領域的人交流，空間規劃也極有利於互動。每個訪客都對此有著極深刻的印象。
感覺問題似乎是在心態跟對問題的思考慣性上，一旦定型便難已更改。這是本來學數學或模型的人最常落入的困境。對任何生物現象都能夠用 equations and models 解釋預測的不切實際幻想 (至少在目前)，也常給他們帶來麻煩。至於自視高於 experimentists，視實驗只是驗證他偉大理論的工具一類，就更是未認清現實斷無成功可能了，其中尤以搞數學的最有這類毛病。
我認為至少在目前的 sysbio 上，不同領域的合作還有一段路要走。如果硬要選，我覺得生物學家跨數學物理，會比反過來(目前的趨勢)更有成功的可能。多數人都認為生物門檻低，容易從其它領域跨進來。我的看法是所謂的門檻低是因為沒有辦法有效整理規納成一層層循序理解的系統，最後得靠無法形容的 instinct 或 insight 去判斷，這多半是多年經驗累積粹鍊而成，低門檻後面的路可能更難走。
不論是跨進來還是跨出去，是否有辦法在顧好自己 project 之餘，還能花上可觀的時間在短時間內無法提供任何幫助的它領域上，才是最大的問題。我覺得連 PhD student 都太晚了，要就趁早。
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Jellyfish ?
Someone told me she likes this image, because "amazing how it looks like a Jellyfish! It's really great."
What do you think???
This is a monopolar Hela cells proceeding cytokinesis, where Aurora-B (red) relocates beyond microtubule (green) to the space between microtubules and the cortex.
What do you think???
This is a monopolar Hela cells proceeding cytokinesis, where Aurora-B (red) relocates beyond microtubule (green) to the space between microtubules and the cortex.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Care Most When Losing It
People sadid you care things most when you are gonna lose it. It's always true to me, although this case is not a big deal.
A long time ago I decided not to waste any chance and time being here. Thus I borrow books from libraries frequently. The problem is, I don't really have time to read them all.
I borrowed this book from Cabot library about 4 months ago and didn't find a chance to read it. Two days ago I got a recall message said it was reserved by someone so I have to return the book within one week. Thus finally I started to read it.
I like microscopy; that is why I borrowed it. After spending two days reading it, I think it is a pretty good book. Too bad that I have to finish it in a hurry. If anyone (especially biologists) also interested in microscopy or like to know something about it. This book could be a very good starting point for it.
A long time ago I decided not to waste any chance and time being here. Thus I borrow books from libraries frequently. The problem is, I don't really have time to read them all.
I borrowed this book from Cabot library about 4 months ago and didn't find a chance to read it. Two days ago I got a recall message said it was reserved by someone so I have to return the book within one week. Thus finally I started to read it.
I like microscopy; that is why I borrowed it. After spending two days reading it, I think it is a pretty good book. Too bad that I have to finish it in a hurry. If anyone (especially biologists) also interested in microscopy or like to know something about it. This book could be a very good starting point for it.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
大樹樹與小樹樹
走著走著到了 New Yard，凡凡看到裡面大大小小的樹，很高興地跑去樹旁拍著直說「大樹樹，大樹樹！」，過了一會兒轉頭一看原來自己拍的是棵小樹，立刻改口說「小樹樹，小樹樹！」。弄得連凡凡自己都笑了出來。
不知何故，凡凡會講月亮，但都把太陽叫作「亮亮」。
見到松鼠，便立刻興奮地去追逐松鼠了。
不知何故，凡凡會講月亮，但都把太陽叫作「亮亮」。
見到松鼠，便立刻興奮地去追逐松鼠了。
去玩玩
因為新英格蘭這幾天又下雪，凡凡已經三天沒有出去玩了，悶在家裡久了，禮拜六天氣不錯，便直嚷著要「去玩玩」！
帶著凡凡到了 Science Center 前的噴水池，天氣還沒回暖，所以沒有水，只剩下一堆石頭和一群遊客與小朋友在石頭上跳過來跳過去。
凡凡看到了也想學著跳，爬到石頭上奮力一蹬，還是落在腳下的石頭邊，沒法跳到另一塊石頭上去。
Friday, March 21, 2008
The Italian Man Who went to Malta
It's Friday again. Let's have some fun for this glorious day before the sweet weekend.
Many of you probably heard and saw this before. I have this in MP3 file. Someone makes it a clip on YouTube which makes it even funnier.
Many of you probably heard and saw this before. I have this in MP3 file. Someone makes it a clip on YouTube which makes it even funnier.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
My Small Conclusion
Recently I have been actively requesting reagents (constructs/antibodies/stable cell lines) for my researches. Here is my little conclusion based on my experinece so far.
1. It is easier to get reagents from your friends than non-friends.
2. It is easier to get reagents from people outside your field than inside.
3. It is easier to get reagents from well-established labs than junior labs.
4. It is easier to get reagents from famous PIs than infamous ones.
5. It is easier to get reagents from big-names than no-names.
6. It is easier to get reagents from Westerns (America, Europe) than Easterns (Asia, Austrlia)
7. It is easier to get reagents from females than males.
Add more if something new hits me.
1. It is easier to get reagents from your friends than non-friends.
2. It is easier to get reagents from people outside your field than inside.
3. It is easier to get reagents from well-established labs than junior labs.
4. It is easier to get reagents from famous PIs than infamous ones.
5. It is easier to get reagents from big-names than no-names.
6. It is easier to get reagents from Westerns (America, Europe) than Easterns (Asia, Austrlia)
7. It is easier to get reagents from females than males.
Add more if something new hits me.
Tom's Diner
Talking about Suzanne Vega, one of my favorite song from her - Tom's Diner. The lyrics are cool~~
First heard it when I was a junior high student. Suzanne Vega was one of my favorite female singers. I really like this one, and her other songs such as "Luka".
Live version
Suzanne Vega - Tom's Diner
I am sitting in the morning at the diner on the corner \ I am waiting at the counter for the man to pour the coffee \ And he fills it only halfway and before I even argue, he is looking out the window at somebody coming in
"It is always nice to see you" says the man behind the counter to the woman who has come in she is shaking her umbrella \ And I look the other way as they are kissing their hellos \ I'm pretending nt to see them instead I pour the milk
I open up the paper there's a story of an actor who had died while he was drinking \ It was no one I had heard of \ And I'm turning to the horoscope and looking for the funnies \ When I'm feeling someone watching me and so I raise my head
There's a woman on the outside looking inside \ Does she see me? \ No she does not really see me cause she sees her own reflection \ And I'm trying not to notice that she's hitching up her skirt \ And while she's straightening her stockings her hair has gotten wet
Oh, this rain it will continue through the morning as I'm listening to the bells of the cathedral \ I am thinking of your voice...
And of the midnight picnic once upon a time before the rain began... \ I finish up my coffee \ It's time to catch the train
First heard it when I was a junior high student. Suzanne Vega was one of my favorite female singers. I really like this one, and her other songs such as "Luka".
Live version
Suzanne Vega - Tom's Diner
I am sitting in the morning at the diner on the corner \ I am waiting at the counter for the man to pour the coffee \ And he fills it only halfway and before I even argue, he is looking out the window at somebody coming in
"It is always nice to see you" says the man behind the counter to the woman who has come in she is shaking her umbrella \ And I look the other way as they are kissing their hellos \ I'm pretending nt to see them instead I pour the milk
I open up the paper there's a story of an actor who had died while he was drinking \ It was no one I had heard of \ And I'm turning to the horoscope and looking for the funnies \ When I'm feeling someone watching me and so I raise my head
There's a woman on the outside looking inside \ Does she see me? \ No she does not really see me cause she sees her own reflection \ And I'm trying not to notice that she's hitching up her skirt \ And while she's straightening her stockings her hair has gotten wet
Oh, this rain it will continue through the morning as I'm listening to the bells of the cathedral \ I am thinking of your voice...
And of the midnight picnic once upon a time before the rain began... \ I finish up my coffee \ It's time to catch the train
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
How Lucky We Are
I visit iTune on Monday regularly to download free songs. But usually I won't really listen them immediately. This is a song I downloaded probably months ago but have no chance to listen until this afternoon.
I like this one "How Lucky We Are". Meiko reminds me about Suzanne Vega.
Meiko - How Lucky We Are lyrics
One day we'll get outta this shitty apartment \ One day is all it takes for things to turn around now \ All I know is I got you and you got me, babe
And when that morning comes \ I'll make coffee and you'll read the paper \ We'll talk about our plans \ And I'll keep saying how lucky we are
One day we'll get in the car and drive anywhere we wanna go \ And then we'll stay in a five star, mini-bar, luxury hotel room \ Cuz all I know is I got you and you got me, babe
And when that morning comes \ I'll make coffee and you'll read the paper \ We'll talk about our plans \ And I'll keep saying how lucky we are
How lucky we are, oh oh oh \ How lucky we are, are, are...
One day we'll turn on the tv and we won't see nothing 'bout war \ And when that morning comes \ I'll make coffee and you'll read the paper \ We'll talk about our plans \ And I'll keep saying how lucky we are
How lucky, how lucky we are \ Oh how lucky, how lucky, how lucky we are
--
Live on a Radio show
I like this one "How Lucky We Are". Meiko reminds me about Suzanne Vega.
Meiko - How Lucky We Are lyrics
One day we'll get outta this shitty apartment \ One day is all it takes for things to turn around now \ All I know is I got you and you got me, babe
And when that morning comes \ I'll make coffee and you'll read the paper \ We'll talk about our plans \ And I'll keep saying how lucky we are
One day we'll get in the car and drive anywhere we wanna go \ And then we'll stay in a five star, mini-bar, luxury hotel room \ Cuz all I know is I got you and you got me, babe
And when that morning comes \ I'll make coffee and you'll read the paper \ We'll talk about our plans \ And I'll keep saying how lucky we are
How lucky we are, oh oh oh \ How lucky we are, are, are...
One day we'll turn on the tv and we won't see nothing 'bout war \ And when that morning comes \ I'll make coffee and you'll read the paper \ We'll talk about our plans \ And I'll keep saying how lucky we are
How lucky, how lucky we are \ Oh how lucky, how lucky, how lucky we are
--
Live on a Radio show
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